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Topic: Imitrex Commercials (Read 785 times) |
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BlueMeanie
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1) Is Imitrex an offically approved Cluster Headache medicine ?
2) If it is, why doesn't the manufacturer mention that Imitrex not only works for Migraines, but also works for Cluster Headaches in their commercials ?
I realize most people do not know what Cluster Headaches are, but what would be the harm in mentioning Clusters along with Migraines ?
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #1 on: Apr 2nd, 2004, 9:21pm » |
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1.) Yes
2.) No idea...probably just aiming to target the large audience.... We should write them and tell them to make a CH commercial...though I bet then people might think they have it when they don't.
I hate those commercials!!
Lizzie 
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Melissa
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on Apr 2nd, 2004, 9:21pm, Lizzie2 wrote:though I bet then people might think they have it when they don't.
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THIS is why the zomig trial is so important!! If you haven't done so yet, click on the sticky thread about Zomig at the top of the board!
 mel
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jonny
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We dont sell....at least not enough to mention.
.......................................jonny
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #4 on: Apr 2nd, 2004, 9:49pm » |
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Blue, I just looked in my drug manual to find the indications for sure:
Almotriptan (Axert), Frovatriptan (Frova), Naratriptan (Amerge), Rizatriptan (Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT), Sumatriptan (Imitrex), and Zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig ZMT) are all indicated for migraine headaches. "Sumatriptan injection can be used for cluster headache."
The only one missing from that list is Eletriptan (Relpax). I just got this book in November, too...so I don't know why Relpax isn't in it.
Maybe it isn't advertised for CH because it is only the injectible form that is indicated for CH, and the ads target the pill form? I've never actually seen a commercial for Imitrex SC. Interesting, though....
Jonny...One time while back doing my CF research, a young boy asked why there was only interest in pursuing cancer research and not research for CF. It made me pretty sad. We all felt that the cancer research was, of course, valuable, but CF is the #1 fatal genetic disease among caucasions. It just doesn't attract as much attention or have as high a population group as pediatric cancer.
Stupid, though..... 
Lizzie
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bobkip
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #5 on: Apr 2nd, 2004, 9:57pm » |
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jonny, you are wrong. The reason the fat cats at the drug cos. don't give a rats ass about us is $$$$$$$. It ain't quantity or even quality, it's the bottom line.
Kip
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| « Last Edit: Apr 2nd, 2004, 9:59pm by bobkip » |
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Charlie
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #6 on: Apr 2nd, 2004, 11:19pm » |
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Just ain't no money in mentioning clusters in a commercial. All that valuable time and space taken up by something no bringing in hard cash.
Charlie
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #7 on: Apr 2nd, 2004, 11:55pm » |
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Wow,
All really valid points. Yep, too small a market means directing expensive advertising at at small market. But I know my doc always has many freebies of imitrex to dole out, maybe that is where they have decided to expend themselves toward clusters, in the doctors office instead of to the general media audience on TV.
I think the insurance companies are behind keeping it down for clusters as it would be very expensive to prescribe the amount needed for clusters and it would cost them too much. I know I'm very expensive to my insurance and they would be glad to not have many more like me. My insurance probably provided the cash flow to Glaxo due to paying my bill each month to Glaxo to have to spend on the commercial and they would not
want to have more clusterheads like me to insure I'd guess.
The insurance companies are waiting for the patent to run out on imitrex I'll bet. Few more years to go though.
I called about the zomig trial, nothing in my area happening but they got my name and phone #.
small market, big bill. Insurance solution: keep it small.
ramble rousing ranting in the dark.
Kevin M
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thomas
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We may be a small number of people, however many of us use 10-100 times as much medication as a meegraine person. I'll bet the bastards make more off of us.
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Mr. Happy
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Sit up straight, class.....
« Reply #9 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 11:10am » |
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(Just got off the blower with Cat....since she can't do CH.com or OUCH for the nonce......we went over the numbers they presented to Glaxo up in New England. The following calculations of mine are wrong, WAY on the low side........but since she can't jump in and correct my heathen arse, here ya go...)
OK....lets do some math.
The US population is currently a little over 290,000,000.
At 0.4% prevalence, that's 1,160,000 potential customers.
At $75 per stat dose, that's $87,000,000
Assume 30 doses per cycle, annually - $2,610,000,000
But......let's allow room for error in the math and usage.
Cut that number in half - $1,305,000,000
Over ONE Billion, THREE HUNDRED Million annually in potential Glaxo bucks, conservatively speaking. It's not a market to sneeze at, and the drug boys are wising up to that fact thanks to Thelma and Louise.
Even if you jack those numbers around using one $25 Trex tablet daily for 30 days, you're talking about a possible $870,000,000 market. That's why the Zomig folks want in on this action.
Don't forget.....the above cyphering is based on the LOW side, and doesn't account for the WORLD market. Pull out your calculators, and check it yourself. One CHead is worth dozens of `Grainers, dollars and sense wise.
We've got their attention.
Advocacy in action,
RJ
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Linda_Howell
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #10 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 11:24am » |
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When I started reading this thread I could't wait to post what you just posted Randy but you beat me to it. And put it a lot more eloquently than I could have, I might add.
This is only my own thinking...but I'll bet us chronics spend more on Trex than 10 episodics do. Just something else to skew the results in GSK's favor.
Thank you Thelma and Louise 
LindaH
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Kindness, is gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.
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Elaine
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Randy your Right! We have to show them. That means when the drug companys offer studys such as the zomig study us clusterheads need to over load there phones letting them know we are here and want these studys. Volunteer . If only 12 or so call they won't think we are serious.
We are getting there people but all of you have to help!
How many of you called about the study? Its not to late. No its not imitrex but its a start !
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Mr. Happy
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Trex-O-Mercials
« Reply #12 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 12:23pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 11:24am, Linda_Howell wrote:
This is only my own thinking...but I'll bet us chronics spend more on Trex than 10 episodics do. Just something else to skew the results in GSK's favor. |
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We don't have to do much in the way of skewing, Lin. Heh. And don't let Cat know the numbers I'm using.......she'll have my hanging by my testicles on the Water X3 page, since her math was markedly higher in Potential Glaxo bucks.
Let's try some chronic math, again on the low side.
If 10% of all CHeads are chronic, that's 116,000 US consumers. If they use ONE injection weekly, that's 6,032,000 doses annually. At $75/shot, that's $452,400,000/year just in filthy chronics.
Would all you chronics that only need to abort ONE CH/week please raise your hands?
Billions and Billions, as dead Carl Sagen used to say....
RJ
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 12:27pm by Mr. Happy » |
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catlind
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #13 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 2:51pm » |
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Ok I couldn't hold back, and Clark is going to have my A$$ for posting and reading!
When Thelma and I were in New England for the meetings, during our meeting with the Glaxo folks, we were able to show them the $$ figures for just TWO sufferers.
Thelma is chronic and can use up to 12mg (injections) per day. I'm Episodic and can use up to 6mg (injections) a day (cardiac issues). The drug companies don't care who pays them, us or insurance.
Based on the cost of a box of 5 vials of trex injections ($325ish), TWO FEMALE clusterheads, used $10000 worth of imitrex in a 50 day period (normal 6t week period) SHIT CLARK JUST CAME HOME.
(Clark just left for the store SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH)
When the reps from Glaxo realized just how much we spend on their product, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. On top of that, Dr. Sheftell informed them (the glaxo folks) that Clusterheads use triptans on a ratio of 30 to 1 over migraine sufferers.
In addition to all this, Thelma and I did a sampling survey. We survey'd 12 chronics, and 12 episodics on the cost of their triptan use. Didn't matter what triptan, just how much on triptans. Some of you may remember participating.
The average $$ figure per month spent by a clusterhead is around $7500 per PERSON. Now of course these figures on that particular survey are not scientific. The $10k figure Thelma and I use is - we pay it, trust me we know how much hehe.
So, the pharmaceuticaly companies have discovered a market that is HUGE that they didn't realize was there and lining their pockets before. Part of all the new studies, new things in the future for OUCH (stuff we aren't at liberty to discuss yet) is because the pharm co's now understand how much money we spend on their products.
Right now Imitrex is the ONLY FDA labeled triptan for CH. Read all your packet inserts, all but sumatriptan say "xxxxtriptan has not been evaluated for efficacy on treating cluster headaches".
Hope I was able to clear some things up And I really gotta go again, I hear the van coming back and it's about a block away..............  (something about having been throwing up for 7 days straight has him worried or somethin...sheesh  )
Cat
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:55pm by catlind » |
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thomas
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 2:51pm, catlind wrote:Ok I couldn't hold back, and Clark is going to have my A$$ for posting and reading!
When Thelma and I were in New England for the meetings, during our meeting with the Glaxo folks, we were able to show them the $$ figures for just TWO sufferers.
Thelma is chronic and can use up to 12mg (injections) per day. I'm Episodic and can use up to 6mg (injections) a day (cardiac issues). The drug companies don't care who pays them, us or insurance.
Based on the cost of a box of 5 vials of trex injections ($325ish), TWO FEMALE clusterheads, used $10000 worth of imitrex in a 50 day period (normal 6t week period) SHIT CLARK JUST CAME HOME.
Cat |
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Back to bed with you!!!!!!!!!
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Tiannia
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #15 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:01pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 2:51pm, catlind wrote:TWO FEMALE clusterheads, used $10000 worth of imitrex in a 50 day period (normal 6t week period) SHIT CLARK JUST CAME HOME.
Cat |
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But women dont get cluster.... Sorry could not help myself...
You are busted Cat. Go relax and stop worrying. Clusterville will be here when you are allowed to turn on the Computer again.
Rest adn relax (I know that is a new concept for you, but you need to do it)
-Tia
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catlind
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #16 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:57pm » |
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oh yeah, one more thing before I go,
Thanks for lookin out for me - I really do love you guys
Cat
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #17 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 5:38pm » |
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I have been using imtrex nasal for seven years and I DO know I alone have been over $20,000 a year.
Maybe they don't advertise for us because they KNOW that sumatriptan is the only approved triptan for CH.
What would be the estimated gain to them to advertise when most all doctors we see already know that. My gp didn't know crap before me, but he did know about imitrex as the recommended abortive.
On the opposite side, advertising would make peeps REQUEST imitrex more as a remedy if they did KNOW it's status as FDA approved for CH. I see upside in that. In fact, if I was a new CHer, I would be persistant until I got it from my doc. And actually, the correct setup of O2 for clusters was harder to get from my doctor, insurance, and from the med supply companies.
Upon verifying the math from above posts, I would push for clusters included in advertisement if the decsion (yeah sure) was mine.
I like the idea of making these stats known, very good point. But why doesn't Glaxo already know this if they have multi-millions invested in marketing? What the heck are they thinking? I like these efforts. Thanks for bringing this all out in the open. It plain makes sense to me.
I've found it a safe drug too when not overused. It has a good record, that could be an easy selling point too.
WAKE UP GLAXO!!!! COMPETE FOR OUR BUSINESS.
Good job all.
Kevin M
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Melissa
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Quote:| I like the idea of making these stats known, very good point. But why doesn't Glaxo already know this if they have multi-millions invested in marketing? What the heck are they thinking? |
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Migraines and money. Millions of people get migraines. Less than 1% of the population get clusters. Sometimes even large corporations need someone on the outside to open a new door for their eyes to see what they've been missing. Who better than the sufferers themselves? They probably thought, that because the population of sufferers is so small, we wouldn't make a dent into their financial gain. Plus, pretty much all their money into advertising, goes to the larger population of migraine sufferers. Hell, if you talk in numbers around the WORLD of migraine sufferers, that's billions of dollars right there! I'm sure you already know this, but I just wanted to say it myself, hehe.
mel
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Lizzie2
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #19 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 5:58pm » |
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Very true Mel. I've been reading this thread off and on today, and the one thought that keeps coming back to my head is that I would say 95% of the migraine sufferers I work with have little or no pain free time, and most of them do the max of 2 injections a day as often as they can/ or can afford to. Granted, chronic migraine sufferers make up a small portion of total migraine sufferers, and many migraine sufferers only get one or two migraines a month, but the cost does reach a pretty skyrocketing amount on that end, too.
The point is how much MORE (in addition) they could make by targeting people with CH!!
Lizzie
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Mikey
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #20 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:07pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 3:57pm, catlind wrote:oh yeah, one more thing before I go,
Thanks for lookin out for me - I really do love you guys
Cat |
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We really do love you too Cat!!!! 
Mikey,
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CHRONIC and going crazy!! Want to come too?
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Mr. Happy
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Vexed and Trexed.......
« Reply #21 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:09pm » |
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Lizzie......shouldn't you be studying or something?
Cat.......I'm calling Clark, and yer busted. Get out and stay out till the future ex gives you a green light.
You've lost a lot of weight this past week due to vomiting and dehydration. Not from your abdomen, not from your butt.......All from your tits, as usual. Life is like that.
Take 5 more,
RJ
PS: Billions and billions.........
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HypnoticFreddy
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Like a few posts above....
I also have been reading this interesting post thru out the day.
My thought is that if they advertised Imitrex on TV or a mag for the treatment of CHs, nobody (or almost nobody) would no what the hell they are talking about. Everybody has at least heard of a migraine. Migraine is a marketable word. Cluster headache is a "huh?"
My thought.
-Freddy
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:20pm by HypnoticFreddy » |
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Lizzie2
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Re: Vexed and Trexed.......
« Reply #23 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:16pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 6:09pm, Mr.Happy wrote:Lizzie......shouldn't you be studying or something?
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LOL I'm doing my nutrition review sheet while I surf the web. I'm good at multitasking But I do have to go to my piano teacher's recital in 20 minutes....Ahhh the life of a music major. 19 days till my recital!
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Kevin_M
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Re: Imitrex Commercials
« Reply #24 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:29pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 5:55pm, Melissa wrote:
Plus, pretty much all their money into advertising, goes to the larger population of migraine sufferers. Hell, if you talk in numbers around the WORLD of migraine sufferers, that's billions of dollars right there!
mel |
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Yes mel, much higher predominance of migrainers. But it looks like our market may need to be taken a second
look at. The dollars in our market to Glaxo is substantial per imitrex user. They should have knowledge of this from the insurance companies which pay for the diagnosed CHers.
We are small, but the dollars are nothing to sneeze at. I would look at any chance to expand my market with one of the most expensive drugs on the market and we are the most logical way to expense marketing
dollars toward. Is there another market for imitrex to expand into other than CHers.? It is not easily
understood why it is not done
I would think saying in an advertisement that imitrex has been approved by the FDA for clusters and has been the most prescribed medication for these headaches too is quite a statement.
Aborts a cluster? What more can be said about it. Since O2 doesn't advertise, how many others are going to make that claim?
When they lose cluster market to Zomig, then maybe
they will wake up. Maybe that is the timing they are looking for, when Zomig gets approval and then Glaxo comes out with their batting average with clusters, to get people not to switch.
just musin' mel.
Kevin M
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 6:32pm by Kevin_M » |
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